12/21/2007 Goodbye Don Vito
Don Vito is now "The Uncle Formerly Known as Don Vito."
You will not be hearing from Don Vito anytime soon. Vincent Margera, the uncle of "Viva La Bam" star Bam Margera, was ordered to give up his lecherous alter ego for 10 years after a Colorado judge sentenced him to 10 years probation Thursday (December 20). The 51-year-old reality star was found guilty in October of two counts of sexual assault on a child.
Jefferson County District Judge M.J. Menendez also told Margera that he could not attend autograph sessions, write books or appear on television shows during that time, according to a press release on the case from the Jefferson and Gilpin County District Attorney's office. He also has to register as a sex offender as part of the Intensive Supervision Probation program for a minimum of 10 years and up to life, as well as being ordered to work on his substance-abuse problems and receive a mental-health evaluation. Margera, who was credited with 56 days served in jail, must also complete sex-offender treatment, and drug and alcohol treatment if that is deemed necessary.
Margera avoided a harsher sentence that could have included up to six years in prison on each count following an incident in August 2006 during a photo and autograph-signing event at the Colorado Mills mall skate park during which he was alleged to have fondled three young girls, ages 12 and 14. Margera's attorney had argued that the reality star took on the persona of the outrageous Don Vito character during the appearance as an explanation for his actions.
Menendez told Margera he will be allowed to travel home to Pennsylvania for seven days to celebrate the holidays and ordered that his ISP supervision be transferred to Pennsylvania if the Jefferson County probation department finds that the state has comparable programs. But for now, Margera must remain in Colorado during the proceedings in his other criminal case, in which he is charged with violating the conditions of his bond in the sexual-assault matter. The arraignment in that case is slated for January 18.
Unlike Margera's reaction to his October verdict — which caused him to collapse violently in the courtroom and yell, "just kill me now" — he was subsequently placed on suicide watch. His reaction to the sentencing was more sedate, according to ABC News 7. He was described as "more composed" as he arrived for the sentencing, and there were no outbursts once the judge read the sentence.
But the most dire consequence of his conviction will be his renunciation of the "Don Vito" title and character. He will not be able to "play" the fat and frantic uncle of Bam Margera again until 2017.
But that's what you get when you're accused of groping three girls, ages 12-14, during an autograph signing.
You will not be hearing from Don Vito anytime soon. Vincent Margera, the uncle of "Viva La Bam" star Bam Margera, was ordered to give up his lecherous alter ego for 10 years after a Colorado judge sentenced him to 10 years probation Thursday (December 20). The 51-year-old reality star was found guilty in October of two counts of sexual assault on a child.
Jefferson County District Judge M.J. Menendez also told Margera that he could not attend autograph sessions, write books or appear on television shows during that time, according to a press release on the case from the Jefferson and Gilpin County District Attorney's office. He also has to register as a sex offender as part of the Intensive Supervision Probation program for a minimum of 10 years and up to life, as well as being ordered to work on his substance-abuse problems and receive a mental-health evaluation. Margera, who was credited with 56 days served in jail, must also complete sex-offender treatment, and drug and alcohol treatment if that is deemed necessary.
Margera avoided a harsher sentence that could have included up to six years in prison on each count following an incident in August 2006 during a photo and autograph-signing event at the Colorado Mills mall skate park during which he was alleged to have fondled three young girls, ages 12 and 14. Margera's attorney had argued that the reality star took on the persona of the outrageous Don Vito character during the appearance as an explanation for his actions.
Menendez told Margera he will be allowed to travel home to Pennsylvania for seven days to celebrate the holidays and ordered that his ISP supervision be transferred to Pennsylvania if the Jefferson County probation department finds that the state has comparable programs. But for now, Margera must remain in Colorado during the proceedings in his other criminal case, in which he is charged with violating the conditions of his bond in the sexual-assault matter. The arraignment in that case is slated for January 18.
Unlike Margera's reaction to his October verdict — which caused him to collapse violently in the courtroom and yell, "just kill me now" — he was subsequently placed on suicide watch. His reaction to the sentencing was more sedate, according to ABC News 7. He was described as "more composed" as he arrived for the sentencing, and there were no outbursts once the judge read the sentence.
But the most dire consequence of his conviction will be his renunciation of the "Don Vito" title and character. He will not be able to "play" the fat and frantic uncle of Bam Margera again until 2017.
But that's what you get when you're accused of groping three girls, ages 12-14, during an autograph signing.